Method of optimizing the functioning of a machining center through adjustment of its temperature

ABSTRACT

A method of optimizing the functioning of a machining center for machining at least one piece by removal of material by means of at least one cutting tool, this machining center, on the one hand, comprising a certain number of different components including at least a structure, such as a frame, and at least motor elements producing actions of driving and displacement of at least one of the elements which are the tool and the piece, and, on the other hand, implementing  
     an installation for lubricating and cooling the tool and the piece by means of a fluid, referred to hereinafter as the lubricant,  
     this method having the steps of:  
     determining at least one temperature value for the lubricant, at least empirically, referred to as the reference value, at which the machining center functions in a stable way, i.e. produces pieces of choice and consistent quality,  
     during use of the machining center for the production of pieces:  
     changing the temperature of the lubricant in such a way as to adjust it to the reference value,  
     changing the temperature of at least one of the components of this machining center in such a way as to bring this temperature to a value close to the temperature of the lubricant.  
     The invention also relates to a facility for implementing the method and to a machining center the functioning of which is optimized by implementation of said method.

[0001] This invention relates to a method of optimizing the functioningof a machining center through adjustment of its temperature. Designatedby machining center is a machine for machining at least one piecethrough removal of material by means of at least one cutting tool. Theinvention also relates to a facility for implementing the method and toa machining center the functioning of which is optimized byimplementation of said method.

[0002] The invention aims at optimization of the functioning of amachining center for machining at least one piece by removal of materialby means of at least one cutting tool, this machining center, on the onehand, comprising a certain number of components including a structure,such as a frame, and motor elements producing actions of driving anddisplacement of at least one of the elements which are the tool and thepiece, and, on the other hand, implementing an installation forlubricating and cooling the tool and the piece by means of a fluid,referred to hereinafter as the lubricant.

[0003] The invention concerns particularly, but not exclusively, amethod of optimizing the functioning of a lathe.

[0004] In the field of machine tools, when stable functioning of amachining center is desired, i.e. desired is the production of pieces ofchoice and consistent quality, air-conditioning of the premises wherethe machining center is located is known and/or stabilizing thetemperature of the lubrication fluid. These solutions have theiradvantages, but they do not provide results that are entirelysatisfactory.

[0005] A result which the invention aims to obtain is a method foroptimizing the functioning of a machining center that would overcome thedrawbacks of the prior art.

[0006] To this end, the invention has as its subject matter a method ofoptimizing the functioning of a machining center for machining at leastone piece by removal of material by means of at least one cutting tool,this machining center, on the one hand, comprising a certain number ofdifferent components including at least a structure, such as a frame,and at least motor elements producing actions of driving anddisplacement of at least one of the elements which are the tool and thepiece, and, on the other hand, implementing

[0007] an installation for lubricating and cooling the tool and thepiece by means of a fluid, referred to hereinafter as the lubricant,

[0008] this method having the steps of:

[0009] determining at least one temperature value for the lubricant, atleast empirically, referred to as the reference value, at which themachining center functions in a stable way, i.e. produces pieces ofchoice and consistent quality,

[0010] during use of the machining center for the production of pieces:

[0011] changing the temperature of the lubricant in such a way as toadjust it to the reference value,

[0012] changing the temperature of at least one of the components ofthis machining center in such a way as to bring this temperature to avalue close to the temperature of the lubricant,

[0013] wherein, in order to change the temperature of at least one ofthe different components of the machining center and bring thistemperature to a value close to the temperature reference value, themethod according to the invention further comprises the steps of:

[0014] confining the machining center at least partially in an enclosurecomprising at least two openings of section suitable for entry then exitof an air current,

[0015] causing, through agitation at the level of at least one of theopenings, an air current to circulate in the enclosure, the temperatureof the air current having been changed beforehand in order to adjust itto a value substantially equal to the temperature reference value.

[0016] The invention also has as its subject matter a facility forimplementing this method as well as a machining center the functioningof which has been optimized by implementing this method.

[0017] The invention will be better understood from reading thedescription which follows, given by way of non-limiting example, withreference to the attached drawing:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view in section of a facility forimplementing the method according to the invention.

[0019] Referring to the drawing, a machining center 1 can be seen formachining at least one piece 2 through removal of fragments 3 ofmaterial by means of at least one cutting tool 4.

[0020] The machining center 1 could be a lathe, for example, but is notlimited to a lathe, and thus a lathe is not clearly apparent from thedrawing.

[0021] Conventionally, the machining center 1:

[0022] on the one hand, comprises a certain number of differentcomponents 5, 6 including at least one structure 5, such as a frame 5,and motor elements 6 producing actions of driving and displacement of atleast one of the elements 2, 4 which are the tool 4 and the machinedpiece 2, and

[0023] on the other hand, implements an installation 7 for lubricatingand cooling the tool 4 and the piece 2 by means of a fluid 8, referredto hereinafter as the lubricant 8.

[0024] To optimize the functioning of the machining center:

[0025] at least one temperature value T1 is determined, at leastempirically, for the lubricant 8, referred to as the temperaturereference value T1, at which the machining center 1 functions in astable way, i.e. produces pieces 2 of choice and consistent quality,

[0026] during use of the machining center 1 for the production of pieces2

[0027] the temperature of the lubricant 8 is changed in such a way as toadjust it to the temperature reference value T1, and

[0028] the temperature of at least one of the different components 5, 6of this machining center 1 is changed in such a way as to bring thistemperature of this at least one of the different components of themachining center to a value close to the temperature of the lubricant 8.

[0029] It is to be noted that, in order to change the temperature of themachining center 1 and to bring this temperature to a value close to thetemperature reference value the method according to the inventionfurther comprises the steps of:

[0030] confining the machining center 1 at least partially in anenclosure 9 comprising at least two openings 90, 91 of section suitablefor entry then exit of an air current 10,

[0031] causing, through agitation at the level of at least one of theopenings 90, 91, an air current 10 to circulate in the enclosure 9, thetemperature of the air current having been changed beforehand in orderto adjust it to a value substantially equal to the temperature referencevalue T1.

[0032] By following this method, it is possible to obtain the essentialresult of the invention, i.e. the optimization of functioning of amachining center 1 through reduction of different temperature gradientswhich exist in this machining center 1 between, on the one hand, thetemperature of the lubricant 8 and, on the other hand, the temperatureof each of the different components 5, 6 of the said machine 1.

[0033] By following this method, the optimal temperature for thefunctioning of the machining center 1 can be achieved in a considerablyaccelerated way.

[0034] It is also to be noted that in order to change the temperature ofthe air current 10 injected into the enclosure and to adjust thistemperature to a value substantially equal to the temperature referencevalue T1, an exchange of calories with the lubricant 8 is brought about.

[0035] Following these steps of the method makes it possible to achievethe optimization of the functioning of a machining center without havingto resort to a complicated and costly solution.

[0036] It is to be noted furthermore that in order to change thetemperature of the machine 1 and to bring it to a value close to thetemperature reference value T1, the lubricant 8 is made to circulate incontact with at least one of the different components 5, 6 of themachining center 1.

[0037] The lubricant 8 is preferably made to circulate inside at leastone of these different components 5, 6 of the machining center 1.

[0038] It is to be noted that to change the temperature of the lubricant8 in such a way as to adjust it to the temperature reference value T1,either calories are supplied to the lubricant 8 or calories arewithdrawn therefrom.

[0039] The invention also relates to a facility 11 for implementation ofthe method described above. This facility 11 for implementation of themethod is noteworthy in that it comprises:

[0040] a first device 12 for determining, at least empirically, at leastone temperature value T1 for the lubricant 8, referred to as thetemperature reference value T1 at which the machining center 1 functionsin a stable way, i.e. produces pieces of choice and consistent quality,

[0041] a second device 13 for changing the temperature of the lubricant8, during use of the machining center 1 for the production of pieces 2,in such a way as to adjust this temperature to the temperature referencevalue T1, and

[0042] a third device 14 for changing the temperature of this machiningcenter 1, during use of the machining center 1 for the production ofpieces 2, in such a way as to adjust this temperature to a value closeto the temperature of the lubricant 8, this third device 14 comprising:

[0043] an enclosure 9 for at least partial confinement of the machiningcenter 1, this enclosure 9 comprising at least two openings 90, 91 ofsection suitable to allow the passage of an air current 10,

[0044] a second apparatus 15, referred to as the apparatus for adjustingthe temperature of the air current 10 to a value substantially equal tothe temperature reference value T1,

[0045] a third apparatus 16 referred to as the apparatus for circulatingthe air current 10 in the enclosure 9 through at least one of theopenings 90, 91 and through the second apparatus 15.

[0046] This facility 11 is also noteworthy in that the first device 12comprises temperature sensors connected to a recording apparatus.

[0047] One skilled in the art will be able to study the recordedinformation and determine the lubricant temperature at which the machineproduces in a stable manner pieces of choice and consistent quality.

[0048] This facility 11 is noteworthy furthermore in that the seconddevice 13 comprises at least one of the two elements 13A, 13B which are:

[0049] a receptacle 13A for collection of fragments 3 of materialdetached from the piece 2 and of lubricant 8,

[0050] a first apparatus 13B consisting of a thermal apparatus allowingsupply or withdrawal of calories to or from the lubricant 9 to bring thetemperature of the lubricant to the temperature reference value T1.

[0051] It is thus understood that the lubricant 8:

[0052] can gain calories through contact with the fragments 3 ofmaterial removed from the pieces 2 and/or

[0053] can gain or lose calories through passage through said firstapparatus 13B comprising a thermal apparatus that permits stabilizationof the temperature of the lubricant 8 at a value close to thetemperature reference value T1.

[0054] Noteworthy furthermore is that the second apparatus 15, referredto as the apparatus for adjusting the temperature of the air current 10to a value substantially equal to the temperature reference value T1,comprises a thermal exchanger 15 which makes possible in addition thecirculation of the lubricant 8.

[0055] The third apparatus 16, referred to as the apparatus for causingcirculation of the air current 10, consists of a ventilator.

[0056] Likewise noteworthy is that the third device 14 comprises atleast one length of pipe 17 which, on the one hand, allows circulationof the lubricant 8 and, on the other hand, passes through at least oneof the different components 5, 6 of the machining center 1.

[0057] These last-mentioned technical features add to the efficiency ofthe method according to the invention by accelerating the reaching ofthe most efficient temperature for the machine.

1. A method of optimizing the functioning of a machining center formachining at least one piece by removal of material by means of at leastone cutting tool, this machining center, on the one hand, comprising acertain number of different components including at least a structure,such as a frame, and at least motor elements producing actions ofdriving and displacement of at least one of the elements which are thetool and the piece, and, on the other hand, implementing an installationfor lubricating and cooling the tool and the piece by means of a fluid,referred to hereinafter as the lubricant, this method having the stepsof: determining at least one temperature value for the lubricant, atleast empirically, referred to as the reference value, at which themachining center functions in a stable way, i.e. produces pieces ofchoice and consistent quality, during use of the machining center forthe production of pieces: changing the temperature of the lubricant insuch a way as to adjust it to the reference value, changing thetemperature of at least one of the components of this machining centerin such a way as to bring this temperature to a value close to thetemperature of the lubricant, wherein, in order to change thetemperature of at least one of the different components of the machiningcenter and bring this temperature to a value close to the temperaturereference value, the method according to the invention further comprisesthe steps of: confining the machining center at least partially in anenclosure comprising at least two openings of section suitable for entrythen exit of an air current, causing, through agitation at the level ofat least one of the openings, an air current to circulate in theenclosure, the temperature of the air current having been changedbeforehand in order to adjust it to a value substantially equal to thetemperature reference value.
 2. The method according to claim 1, whereinto change the temperature of the air current injected into the enclosureand adjust this temperature to a value substantially equal to thetemperature reference value, the method further comprises the step ofcausing the air current to exchange calories with the lubricant.
 3. Themethod according to claim 2, wherein to change the temperature of themachining center and to bring this temperature to a value close to thetemperature reference value, the method further comprises the step ofcausing the lubricant to circulate in contact with at least one of thedifferent components of the machining center.
 4. The method according toclaim 1, wherein to change the temperature of the lubricant in such away as to adjust this temperature to the reference value, the methodfurther comprises carrying out one of the operations consisting ofsupplying calories to the lubricant and withdrawing calories from thelubricant.
 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein to change thetemperature of the lubricant in such a way as to adjust this temperatureto the reference value, the method further comprises carrying out one ofthe operations consisting of supplying calories to the lubricant andwithdrawing calories from the lubricant.
 6. The method according toclaim 3, wherein to change the temperature of the lubricant in such away as to adjust this temperature to the reference value, the methodfurther comprises carrying out one of the operations consisting ofsupplying calories to the lubricant and withdrawing calories from thelubricant.
 7. A facility for implementing the method according to claim1, wherein it comprises: a first device for determining, at leastempirically, at least one temperature value for the lubricant, referredto as the temperature reference value at which the machining centerfunctions in a stable way, i.e. produces pieces of choice and consistentquality, a second device for changing the temperature of the lubricant,during use of the machining center for the production of pieces, in sucha way as to adjust this temperature to the temperature reference value,and a third device for changing the temperature of this machiningcenter, during use of the machining center for the production of pieces,in such a way as to adjust this temperature to a value close to thetemperature of the lubricant, this third device comprising: an enclosurefor at least partial confinement of the machining center, this enclosurecomprising at least two openings of section suitable to allow thepassage of an air current, a second apparatus, referred to as theapparatus for adjusting the temperature of the air current to a valuesubstantially equal to the temperature reference value, a thirdapparatus, referred to as the apparatus for circulating the air currentin the enclosure through at least one of the openings and through thesecond apparatus.
 8. The facility according to claim 7, wherein thefirst device comprises temperature sensors connected to a recordingapparatus.
 9. The facility according to claim 7, wherein the seconddevice comprises at least one of two elements which are: a receptaclefor collection of fragments of material detached from the piece and oflubricant, a first apparatus consisting of a thermal apparatus allowingsupply or withdrawal of calories to or from the lubricant to bring thetemperature of the lubricant to the temperature reference value.
 10. Thefacility according to claim 7, wherein the second apparatus, referred toas the apparatus for adjustment of the temperature of the air current toa value substantially equal to the temperature reference value,comprises a thermal exchanger which makes possible in addition thecirculation of the lubricant.
 11. The facility according to claim 7,wherein the third device comprises at least one length of pipe which, onthe one hand, allows circulation of the lubricant and, on the otherhand, passes through at least one of the different components of themachining center.
 12. A machining center whose functioning is optimizedby use of a facility according to any one of the claims 7 to 11 for themethod according to any one of the claims 1 to 6.